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Runs rough CEL on

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Old Mar 21, 2005 | 07:05 PM
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Runs rough CEL on

Truck runs rough and lacks power, CEL on. First day it started doing this the problem would clear itself when I came to a stop and let it idle down, then the problem would begin again 5 minutes later. Now the light and problem will not clear. Got gas at a new station but have run for 112 miles on this fuel, could bad gas cause this? Checked the fuel filter it looks ok. The fuel heater looks bad but I don't see how that would cause the problem. The problem started on Friday night and by Saturday afternoon the truck barely made it home. Any ideas?
 
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Old Mar 21, 2005 | 07:11 PM
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Couple quick things come to mind...

Does the CEL go on and off with the problem?

You may be looking at a bad injector or a faulty wiring harness/valve cover gasket. I had a valve cover gasket go bad about 3 months ago... Found it using my multimeter and got the gasket and wiring from Int'l for less than 75 bucks.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2005 | 07:44 PM
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CEL stays on steady while problem exists. There is some fuel and oil in the engine valley. Would one bad injector cause such a loss of power? I could only do about 30mph up hill.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2005 | 08:02 PM
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Depending on which trouble code the pcm has picked up, your truck might have gone into "limp home" mode. You didn't mention what model year truck you have, but if it's pre 99, open up the fuse box under the hood on the driver's fender, and pull the #9 fuse for about 20 minutes. It's the 9th one in the left column, counting from the bottom. After you put it back in, your CEL will be gone, and your power should be restored.
If you have access to a scanner, you'd want to scan for codes before pulling the fuse, because all trouble codes will be cleared when you pull it.
I hope this helps.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2005 | 08:08 PM
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Mine was a royal pig when the one single injector wasn't firing... Use a multi-meter to check continuity to all the injectors... It's kind of a pain, but it sure beats pulling injectors. As a tip, there's a center common "ground" pin, and each injector has it's own supply pin. Here's a pic (I'm starting to love having a torn down motor for reference...)



It's not a good shot, I know, but my camera doesn't like close-ups very much...

Ignore the 2 larger pins on each end, you need the 5 in the center. Test from the center pin to each of the 4 other small pins, if one is open you've found the culprit...
 
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Old Mar 22, 2005 | 08:39 PM
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I will check the injectors tomorrow as reccomended. Is it worth buying a scanner to check codes? My truck is a 95, not sure if it uses OBD I or OBD II codes.

My last truck was an 87 with 6.9L. It seemed much easier to work on, not so much electronics. I guess I'm just old.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2005 | 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by wood-ranch
My last truck was an 87 with 6.9L. It seemed much easier to work on, not so much electronics. I guess I'm just old.
You're not old, just young to your newer truck!!

Good luck!
 
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Old Mar 22, 2005 | 10:09 PM
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Wow Rancha9 that is a no brainer looking at the picture. The connector port is visibly enlarged by the heat even through the blurry picture!
 
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Old Mar 23, 2005 | 06:05 PM
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Whatever code mine threw when the injector was an open circuit, my scanner didn't pick up.

Kwik...

That part is from the torn down motor, it's not my bad one, however, needless to say, it'll be replaced fo the build-up anyway...
 
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Old Mar 23, 2005 | 08:07 PM
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checked the injector connections - my setup is different. One connector for two injectors and two glowplugs, 5 pins total per connector. There are four connectors - center pin to either injector shows a complete circuit on all injectors. Center pin to any glowplug shows open. Injector to injector pin shows complete circuit and glowplug to glowplug pin shows complete curcuit on all but one set of glowplugs. I not sure why injector to injector pin shows a complete curcuit . Recommendations ?
 
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Old Mar 23, 2005 | 10:39 PM
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Oops... Forgot to ask what year you had... the older ones have the 2 plugs. Since all the injectors read OK, you can try to pull the codes, or you have have a buzz test performed, but it will cost you. Somebody who had an actual failed injector can probably help more...
 
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 08:47 PM
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Not sure what to check next. Checked all injector connections, cleaned fuel filter housing and pressure regulator screen, new fuel filter and replaced CPS. Truck starts but still runs rough and lacks power, CEL still on. I would buy a scanner but there doesn't seem to be a concensus on whether one of the over the counter scanners works on diesels. Any ideas? Thanks for all the info so far.
 
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Old Apr 1, 2005 | 07:02 PM
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Found out the problem was a burnt wire assembly under the value cover. Thing is the injector checked out fine on a continuity test from the outside. I am guessing that it didn't start shorting out until the oil was flying under the value cover, it would start and run for a few seconds and then die out. Picked up a new gasket and wire assembly from the Ford dealer for $110. Truck is running good. Thanks for all the help, feels good to have my truck back!!
 
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Old Apr 1, 2005 | 07:04 PM
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Kinda like what happened to mine, it checked fine while I had the valve cover off, as soon as I put it back on it would mess up again... Glad you got it fixed, next time you need engine parts, check your International dealer, they're WAY cheaper on most stuff...
 
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